Archive · 25 Dec 2025
Ariana Cinema in Kabul demolished for shopping mall
The Ariana Cinema in Kabul, a famous movie theater from the 1960s, has been knocked down to make room for a new shopping mall.
The cinema was a special place for many Afghans, showing Bollywood and Iranian movies.
It was closed when the Taliban took control in 2021.
The Taliban say they will keep the cinema's equipment safe, but they have strict rules against movies and TV shows.
The new shopping mall will have many shops, restaurants, a hotel, and a mosque.
Some people are sad to see the cinema go, as it was a symbol of Afghanistan's cultural history.
The Taliban believe it was just a business and not historically important.
The Ariana Cinema in Kabul, a landmark from the 1960s, has been demolished to make way for a $3.5 million shopping mall.
The cinema was a cultural hub, showing Bollywood and Iranian movies, and was restored in 2004 after damage during the civil war.
The Taliban administration closed the cinema in 2021 and has imposed restrictions on movies and TV shows, making a revival unlikely.
The new shopping mall will have over 300 shops, restaurants, a hotel, and a mosque, with construction expected to take about a year.
The demolition reflects the Taliban's ideological and economic priorities, as they seek new sources of funding due to Western sanctions and the loss of foreign aid.
- Who
- Taliban administration and Kabul municipality
- What
- Demolition of Ariana Cinema and construction of a shopping mall
- When
- Demolition started last week; construction expected to take about a year
- Where
- Kabul, Afghanistan
- Why
- To generate revenue and accommodate the growing population, as well as to reflect the Taliban's ideological and economic priorities
- Cinema Name
- Ariana Cinema
- Location
- Kabul, Afghanistan
- Year Built
- Early 1960s
- Year Demolished
- 2024
- Replacement Project
- Shopping mall with 300+ shops, restaurants, hotel, and mosque
- Project Cost
- $3.5 million
- Construction Time
- About a year
- City's Share in Project
- 45%
